By Sentinel Staff
High winds and heavy rainfall are forecast for the Sitka area Saturday, the city warned residents today.
The National Weather Service has predicted the wind could gust as high as 60 mph and precipitation be 1 to 2 inches during the day as a strong front spreads across the gulf and into Southeast Alaska, from Cape Decision to Salisbury Sound.
The city is advising residents to take precautions – to secure loose objects, check boat moorings, and secure aircraft parked outdoors.
‘‘Winds may topple trees, and power may be lost during events like this,’’ the city warned.
The National Weather Service in Juneau is continuing to assess the situation this afternoon but may be looking later in the day at downgrading the “watch” to “strong winds” with the possibility of gusts to 50 mph.
“We still recommend all of (those precautions),” said NWS forecaster Caleb Cravens, from Juneau. “It’s possible it could blow down trees and damage power lines.”
Looking to the week ahead, Cravens said to expect “a very active weather pattern.”
Sitkans can expect a strong front to arrive next week, which may include “a very wet Tuesday,” with rainfall of 2 to 4 inches. NWS is analyzing the potential for flooding in Juneau on Tuesday as rivers and creeks become elevated.
